The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed how many holidays looked already this year; now it’s about to change two very important autumn events – Halloween and Remembrance Day.
Earlier this fall, the Government of Saskatchewan instituted guidelines for fall activities reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 during these events.
These guidelines can be found on Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 website and cover the rules around trick-or-treating, haunted houses and pumpkin patches, as well as Remembrance Day ceremonies.
The guidelines for trick-or-treating, both for the children participating and those distributing candy, are many, and include no direct physical contact between those giving and receiving candy, physical distancing between trick-or-treaters, frequently disinfecting common-touch areas of the homes, frequent hand-hygiene use by trick-or-treaters, and cleaning all candy received with disinfectant wipes or holding the treats for 72 hours before consuming them. Find all the rules for Halloween trick-or-treating, haunted houses and pumpkin patches
here.
Special guidelines have also been created in recognition of the importance of observing Remembrance Day safely. At the top of the list is encouraging organizers to provide an option for virtual attendance using online streaming services, and providing enough time for attendees to arrive prior to the ceremony in order to minimize lineups. Where lineups may form, markings should be provided to ensure physical distancing during the wait. There are more requirements surrounding masking and providing hand sanitizer, as well as information about capacity limits for indoor and outdoor venues that can be found
here.
Halloween is just one fall activity that will look different in 2020.